Japan

I'm worried about...

the language barrier

• Train stations have English signage and announcements
• Google Translate's camera feature works well for reading menus and signs
• Japanese staff who don't speak English generally try their best to accommodate language barriers, and are often the first to pull out a translation app if you don't have one out
• If you need healthcare, you can seek it at clinics and hospitals with dedicated English-speaking medical professionals

How to...

Prepare to leave

• Set up an Amazon.co.jp account to be able to order things in Japan. Phone number verification is required to do so, non-Japanese phone numbers work, but you may or may not be able to receive texts in Japan, and if it does, it may be inconsistent
• Modify 2FA settings for any critical services (such as finance or airbnb) to avoid relying on phone numbers
  • If you're eligible, register a Google Voice number to replace your domestic phone number
• Bring as many debit cards as possible. You need it to withdraw cash from an ATM to recharge transport cards, and if you lose one, it is critical you can continue to withdraw cash.

Prepare to fly on Zipair

• Check the weight of your bag. If your bags are higher than the weight limit, purchase extra weight at least 24 hours beforehand or reduce the weight.
  • You will be forced to check overweight carry-ons, which may lead to important items you wanted to use during the flight being inaccessible.

Find a place to stay

Hotels

• Recommended for small groups between one and three people
• Avoid rooms where smoking is permitted
• Book a minimum of 14 days ahead
• APA Hotel is a bad experience and more expensive. but when booking late, it is sometimes the only option close to the city center.

Hotel check out

• Return room keys to check out
  • There will usually be a hefty penalty if the keys are not returned
• You can usually pay 1000-2000¥/hour to get late checkout as late as 1pm-2pm

Manga cafe

• You can rent a private room in a manga cafe for many hours continuously
• Cheap, ~$15/night, ~$30/24hrs
• Inside city center
• Excellent option for spontaneous daytrips and for saving money

Connect to the internet

Mobile data

• If your phone supports eSIM, purchase and install an eSIM profile from these providers:
  • Airalo, on the KDDI/SoftBank network - more popular with tourists, cheaper and more convenient
  • Sakura Mobile - on the NTT Docomoco/IIJ network - more popular with locals, more expensive but generally faster overall, tends to struggle in areas with lots of locals
• If your phone does not support eSIM,
  • you can purchase a physical SIM card from a local convenience store. Roughly 1 in 4 konbinis have them, ask for a "sim kado." It takes roughly 15 minutes to find a convenience store with one in Tokyo. Airport SIM cards are very expensive and the Keisei Express from Narita has free wifi.
  • or you can purchase a physical eSIM to SIM card adapter. It ships from Germany, so it's best to do this ahead of time or while using a different solution
• Free wi-fi is common in Japan. All Lawson convenience stores have free wifi. Many of them require verifying an email. Some commercial streets, especially around youth-oriented areas like Akihabara and Shinsaibashi, offer high-speed free wifi. The Japan Wi-Fi Auto-Connect app automatically connects you to nearby wifi networks without needing to verify an email and connects you to new ones as you move, but it consumes lots of battery life. Caveat: Shinkansen wi-fi tends to be fairly slow and only good for basic browsing and low bitrate calls.

High-speed internet (>100 Mbps)

• Some hotels have 200-800Mbps connections, though the speed varies throughout the day
• Most hotels have an Ethernet port, you can obtain an Ethernet to USB-C adapter by asking the front desk or purchasing one online or at an electronics retailer. The Ethernet speed is usually somewhat (up to 2x) faster than the Wi-Fi speed.
• Manga cafes are the best way to temporarily access low-latency and fast internet, up to 800Mbps

Set up personal infrastructure

• Withdraw 5,000-10,000¥ from an ATM to pay at transit, arcades, gachapon, and some restaurants
• Download the Google Translate app. The camera function lets you translate Japanese signs and menus

Maintain a good schedule

• To be online at the same time as your friends in North America and Europe, you get up early or stay up late. While nightclubs stay open as late as 3am, most stores close at 8pm, so an early-to-rise schedule is generally recommended. 6am Japan time is 2pm PT and 5pm ET, so 8am is 4pm PT and 7pm ET.